Historically, summer fishing has been limited to tried-and-true traditional techniques to tempt bass from their deep, cool haunts, but the introduction of swimbaits like the SPARK SHAD opened doors to new bites. Harnessing the paddletail swimbait’s realistic action, profile and range control, anglers now had the ability to target any depth zone with subtle swimming appeal that mimicked the primary forage in most waters.
DEEP WATER APPLICATIONS
For deep water fishing, such as ledges, deeper points, and other hard structures, the SPARK SHAD 4in and 5in rigged on a jighead is a productive choice. During the heat of the summer, focus on flatter main and secondary points, dragging the SPARK SHAD along the bottom as well as over structure in 10-30 feet of water, depending on water clarity and thermocline level. The jighead is designed specifically for the SPARK with an elongated head that acts as a keel weight and skid plate to swim and drag along the bottom or target suspended bass. This purpose-built pairing also ensures the weight of the jighead does not adversely affect the SPARK SHAD’s compelling, natural swim.
Another effective deep-water technique involves downsizing to the SPARK SHAD 3in and rigging on a finesse jighead like the OKASHIRA HEAD or OKASHIRA SCREWHEAD. Pairing this rig with 6-8lb fluorocarbon line on a spinning rod like the DESTROYER P5 FLYSSA will provide the balance of sensitivity and forgiveness to cover both open water and structure situations alike. This method works particularly well in clear water impoundments where a mix of bass species (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) are present and often suspended. Searching for fish using forward-facing sonar (FFS) and swimming the SPARK SHAD just above these groups of schools can produce results in most cases.
TIP: For anglers using this method without FFS to monitor bait depth, start by measuring out roughly 7 feet of line (rod length) and dropping your bait into the water with the rod tip right on the surface. Carefully count the number of seconds it takes for the line to go tight and then divide that time by the length of line. (EX: 3.5 seconds for 7 feet of line to get tight means 2 feet per second) Then you can use this fall rate to calculate how long to let your bait fall into the strike zone to effectively target deeper and/or suspended fish without FFS.
When fishing these deeper areas, also spend time graphing with 2D sonar and side imaging to locate baitfish. The depth of the baitfish can be an indicator of the best fishing depths and whether the bass are hugging the bottom or suspended. Water clarity is also crucial: the larger size SPARK SHADS tend to perform better in water with more stain, whereas the finesse 3in size can produce better results in clear water.
SHALLOW WATER APPLICATIONS
Shallow water swimbait techniques can be equally productive in the summer with the right conditions. Rigging the SPARK SHAD 4in or 5in with a light belly weighted hook allows it to be fished through and around shallow cover, including submergent vegetation like pads, hydrilla, and milfoil. If vegetation is not present, shallow cover such as wood and/or manmade structure can also be effective. In many situations during the heat of the summer, shade is essential as it creates prime ambush points for bass as well as an escape from the heat. Keeping the rod tip high and reeling the bait steadily just under the surface is not only one of the most effective ways to target shallow feeders, but also provides vicious topwater strikes.
As you prepare to tackle summer bass with swimbaits like the Megabass SPARK SHAD, remember that versatility is key. Whether you’re probing deep structure with finesse or enticing strikes in the shallows, mastering these techniques can lead to new bite opportunities and memorable catches. Embrace the challenge of summer fishing and adapt your approach to capitalize on every opportunity the season presents.
